Repeal Florida's deadly "Shoot First" law

The recently released 911 tapes that captured 17-year-old Trayvon Martin's final moments of life are absolutely chilling. In the background, you can hear as the teenager screamed for help before being brutally shot by George Zimmerman, a self-appointed leader of the neighborhood watch.

Zimmerman took it upon himself to determine that Trayvon Martin, a young African American, was "suspicious." He then disregarded the instructions of a 911 dispatcher and initiated a confrontation with Trayvon Martin that left the unarmed youth dead.

Shockingly, despite a checkered past and witness accounts that dispute Zimmerman's version of events, he has yet to be arrested or charged because he claimed that he shot this unarmed child in self-defense. Zimmerman remains free, weeks after Trayvon Martin's killing, because of Florida's controversial "Shoot First" law.

It is time to Repeal Florida's "Shoot First" law.

Florida's "Shoot First" law, combined with the state's permissive concealed weapons laws, gives armed vigilantes like George Zimmerman virtual carte blanche to shoot anyone they deem as a threat, with no legal requirement to first attempt to remove themselves from a dangerous situation.

Despite opposition by Florida's law enforcement community, the Florida legislature passed this legislation with the help of the NRA in 2005. Since then, claims of justifiable homicide in Florida have tripled, and individuals ranging from gang members to irritated neighbors have been allowed to get away with murder.

It is time to Repeal Florida's "Shoot First" law.

Trayvon Martin's senseless murder is just the latest example of the horrific consequences of this legislation that even allows people with criminal pasts carrying concealed weapons to "Shoot First" and ask questions later.

Nothing anyone can do can bring back Trayvon Martin and fill the sorrowful void George Zimmerman created in the lives of all of Trayvon's loved ones.

But it is entirely within the power of the Florida State Senate and House of Representatives to prevent future tragedies.

It is time to Repeal Florida's "Shoot First" law.

Letter to

Florida State Senators and Representatives

The senseless killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is the latest example of the dangerous consequences of Florida's "Shoot First" law, otherwise known as the "Stand Your Ground" law. I urge you to support efforts in the Florida Legislature to repeal this law which is vigorously opposed by law enforcement.